Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work Episode 013

In , when you enter a ghost story, you usually become isolated as all data transmission and communication become impossible.

‘It’s a typical scary story structure.’

But stories become more interesting when there’s back-and-forth interaction and conflict.

To make this structure more engaging, I think I saw in some ghost story that certain teams at have disposable items that allow emergency calls.

‘Is this button that item?’

While my mind was busy deducing, my mouth immediately started talking.

Because time was of the essence!

“Is this the D-Team Leader?”

[Yes.]

“This is Kim Sol-eum, a new employee from Team D. I have something urgent to report.”

Let’s dive straight into the situation!

“All members of Team D will die in 30 minutes.”

It couldn’t be helped if the other person was shocked. This was efficient. I needed to quickly calm them down and…

[I see.]

[I’ll receive a 5-minute briefing.]

“…”

Why are they so calm?

Even if total annihilation of colleagues was routine for the Field Investigation Team… this was a bit much from a human perspective.

‘Is there something wrong with their character…?’

I almost got confused, but since the situation was urgent, I let it slide for now. I summarized and conveyed the situation that had occurred so far as briefly as possible.

“An anomaly has occurred in the D-grade Tuesday Talk Show.”

The employees from other teams who had intruded mid-show, the quiz show that was suddenly canceled.

And the situation up to the newly started insane chorus show.

[How many employees remain?]

“3 out of 7. All of Team D is still alive, but at this rate, they’ll all die as soon as break time ends.”

The D-Team Leader responded simply and clearly.

[I see.]

[Try to buy 30 more minutes.]

“…”

Would that work?

“That seems impossible.”

[Then there is no other way.]

They seemed to have a talent for pissing off someone who was about to die in 30 seconds.

‘I don’t have time to waste on this kind of conversation.’

While this company’s Field Investigation Team did have quite a few employees with shattered morals and common sense as you went higher up, actually meeting one was more infuriating than usual.

‘Do they think their own team members’ lives are a joke?’

I was about to just hang up and figure things out myself…

“…”

Wait a minute.

“What would change if we had 30 more minutes?”

Why did they tell me to buy time?

[Yes.]

[If there’s a margin of 55 minutes or more from now, I can receive permission from the Security Team and then borrow the strongest weapon and entry device available for removal.]

The low voice explained matter-of-factly.

[Even if all procedures in this process are handled post-facto, it will take about 40 minutes, and entering that darkness will take an additional 15 to 20 minutes.]

“…Are you saying that if that process is completed, you can rescue Team D?”

[Probabilistically, yes.]

“…”

A Field Investigation Team employee who could use special equipment to single-handedly enter A-grade darkness and suppress paranormal phenomena?

Someone capable of that would be…

‘A named character.’

This employee I was talking to on the phone was definitely one of the employees I had read about in !

‘And probably someone with quite a significant or memorable role…’

Goosebumps ran down my back.

Several candidates flashed through my mind. And at the same time, my brain spun rapidly.

“Stealing equipment from the Security Team… Yes. That would be impossible.”

[…? That’s correct.]

The Security Team had restricted activity ranges for the narrative plausibility of ghost stories and very strong security. It was indeed an impossible action according to the setting.

‘But if this person is really one of the employees I know…’

There might be other options…!

I swallowed and asked.

“…May I ask what kind of mask you wear, Manager?”

If a nickname I know comes up…

[Lizard.]

“…”

Ah.

So it was you.

“Manager.”

20 minutes remaining.

“…Based on what you’ve told me, I’ve come up with a plan.”

Let’s go with this.

[Ah, Noru!]

Break time is coming to an end.

I grabbed a water bottle from the waiting room and returned to the talk show studio.

Humaaan. Number 2. Hu. Human!

Against the backdrop of the two employees whose complexions had turned extremely pale after being exposed to ‘choir practice’ for dozens of minutes, the host with a spherical TV for a head extends his hand for a handshake.

[How are you feeling? Are you ready to give your all and create the best broadcast?]

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

[Haha, when contestants are in good condition, we get better scenes on the show, don’t we!]

Even considering the host’s behavior so far, his tone was very friendly.

It seems the effect of the Smile Sticker is still lingering.

‘So far, everything’s going as expected.’

I chose the words I had prepared.

“…You really pour a lot of love and passion into the show, Host. That’s why you always create such captivating shows that we can’t take our eyes off.”

Maybe it’s because of this extreme situation, but the flattery comes out smoothly without any shame or hesitation.

[Such high praise! But broadcasting is something we all create together, you know. Mr. Noru, you’re part of that too!]

No, that’s not the direction I want…

“I appreciate your words, but I couldn’t possibly compare to you, Host, who leads this grand talk show.”

This is the direction it needs to go.

“But I never expected that the broadcast format would change without notice to someone like you, Host…”

[…]

“Using recorded sounds without an audience, removing penalties… Even reducing the band members.”

I recalled the black and white broadcast posters in the waiting room.

They all featured talk shows with audience seats, conducted in real-time with interaction.

If that was the host’s personal space, then…

‘There’s a high probability this host doesn’t like the changed broadcast format…!’

“Overall, I felt like it was changed to cut costs.”

I could get my head cut off if this is misunderstood as disparaging the talk show. But staying silent would lead to death anyway.

Let’s do this.

I glanced around, pretending to look toward the center of the stage, and barely managed to continue speaking.

The choir conductor with a dead pig head.

“…Could the reason for this reorganization be that it cost an enormous amount to book that guest?”

[!]

The emoticon on the host’s TV disappeared.

But soon it returned to a smiling emoticon.

[That’s not something a contestant needs to worry about.]

“I apologize.”

Please spare me.

Actually, I was so scared I couldn’t even look at that dead pig head properly.

“I’m such a big fan of Tuesday Quiz Show that I was really looking forward to participating. So I guess I spoke rudely. I’m just sad about it being discontinued…”

[Ah, that’s kind of you to say! But… show business is cold, you know.]

The host’s TV screen quietly turns black.

[If the viewers prefer this format, then quickly adapting to it is the quality of an entertainer…]

“I see.”

I swallowed hard.

“But isn’t the viewers’ sentiment still unknown? …At least I preferred the old format. The Tuesday Quiz Show that communicated with the audience in real-time and showed stories full of live atmosphere.”

[…]

“Changing things so abruptly and rudely, without consulting the host… Ah, no. I’m sorry. My personal opinion was excessive.”

I pretended to hesitate before adding.

“It’s just… I had more fun during the live broadcast earlier than I expected. It was thrilling too.”

[-]

The host stands there silently.

The TV screen seems to crackle with noise…

Ding-a-ling!

[…Ah! 60 seconds left until filming resumes!]

The emoticon suddenly returns at the sound of the notification echoing through the studio.

[Alright everyone, let’s give it our all until the very end!]

[Mr. Noru, you need to get up on the platform too.]

“…Yes.”

[Starting! 10, 9, 8…]

The host counted down while looking at the camera as before.

But our conversation seemed to have left some impression, as he didn’t seem to be staring at the camera in that entranced way like before.

‘Good.’

I think I’ve laid enough groundwork.

I nodded to the host and headed to my platform.

And shortly after.

[Now! Mr. Badger.]

[It’s really time to give your answer!]

The show resumed.

[Will Badger truly be able to become a glorious member of the chorus?]

Team Leader Park Min-seong seemed to have sorted out his feelings, wearing a somewhat resigned expression with a bitter face.

I saw him rapidly moving his lips toward me.

-Thank you.

What is he saying? ‘Thanks to you, I prepared my heart…’ No, wait. Let’s talk here too.

I moved my lips.

The message I wanted to convey was…

-Please answer correctly.

“…?!”

The Team Leader looked at me like I was crazy.

Hmm, I understand.

‘Rather than becoming a human instrument with only a head left, repeating what I said before dying, it would be better to be incinerated…’

But this is what I have to do.

The Team Leader shook his head in confusion and looked at the Manager.

The Manager nodded.

[Badger? I’ll give you 3 seconds.]

“Ah! Umm, yes. I’ll answer…”

The Team Leader squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.

“Number 4, burns!”

[Ohhh!]

Amid the recorded audience murmuring.

I finally saw it.

Flutter.

Something appeared from the dark corner of the platform.

A postcard.

It was that strange postcard we used when entering this place.

The conversation I had with Manager Lee Ja-heon just before came to mind.

-Manager, so you’re saying that equipment can be used to approach ghost stories through a medium?

-That’s right. But what I have is for emergency supply purposes, only for sending small objects into the darkness.

-That’s sufficient. That…

I looked at the postcard.

It quietly fell to the floor through the gaps where the lighting didn’t reach…

A small AAA battery shot out at a terrifying speed.

“…!”

That battery instantly closed the distance toward the ominous conductor and struck with tremendous force.

A silver tray.

-Please throw it with all your might.

The thick tray crumpled as if pierced by the battery.

Physical force that made me doubt my eyes.

‘As expected.’

I recalled Manager Lee Ja-heon’s description from .

======================

Employee D

Lizard

One of the few combat personnel in the Field Investigation Team.

Fights with brute force as the only tool

Conversely, when this character’s force doesn’t work at all, that’s when you truly feel screwed.

======================

If I had directly attacked the dead pig head conductor, I might have felt that ‘screwed’ feeling directly.

But what about just a silver tray?

‘Since this employee has the gimmick of ‘physical exorcism works on ghost stories,’ I thought it might work…’

And my prediction was correct.

The tray was almost pierced through with damage.

‘In that case.’

I broke into a triumphant smile even while breaking out in cold sweat.

[Wow! Badger, that’s correct!]

Originally, this is where the correct answerer’s neck should have been torn off to join as a choir member on another silver tray.

However, the conductor’s reaction to his precious ‘instrument’ being damaged was…

[…Conductor?]

The dead pig opened its mouth wide.

Its jawbone broke abnormally until the rotten flesh was completely torn.

The pre-recorded applause from the audience played mechanically before cutting off in confusion.

[…Hmm, it seems our guest is thinking of a new performance method! What kind of amazing technique could he be devising? My heart is pounding!]

The pig screamed.

Sound began to emerge from its torn snout…

[…The participant is waiting. Conductor, please welcome him as a choir member!]

A ter ri fy ing scr eam

Nausea surged up. What terrible thing have I done what absurd act have I committed did you see the bugs I want to sing wrong judgment choice indeed

On the silver throne praise death

The band sound covered over the screaming.

“Gasp!”

This is insane.

Drip. Drip.

A red dot appeared on the platform.

It was my nosebleed.

But I had to cover my ears. I had to cover my ears… Ah, the band sound is disappearing.

[You]

Drip.

[You don’t respect the show.]

I raised my head.

In the silence.

Whoosh.

The great and ominous guest at the center of the stage burned black and turned to ash.

It was a scene I had seen many times.

‘Incineration.’

The unique authority the Host exercised on his own. In the D-grade darkness ‘Tuesday Quiz Show,’ it was the punishment given to participants who interfered with the broadcast’s progress.

But now…

‘A D-grade darkness… completely burned an A-grade darkness…?’

Something’s strange… strange.

I was just aiming for a scenario where the Host would explode at the guest’s insincerity and flee, only stopping today’s recording.

[As expected, the essence of a show isn’t flashy guests, but staying true to the fundamentals.]

I looked around.

The Staff, the lights, the Band, the recording equipment, the cameras.

They all burned and turned to ash.

Only the Host’s spherical TV was shining with flashing colors.

[The joy of witnessing, the pleasure of communication, the thrill of unpredictable developments, anticipation…]

[You ■■■ Producers don’t understand that. You’re not qualified to make shows.]

[But I am! I can do it!]

The Host raised both arms nobly like a liberator.

He turned his head toward me.

[Noru!]

[Thank you! You’ve given me a new vision!]

[My head is so clear. Ah… that’s right! From now on, I should accept participants for shows every day of the week.]

The Host looked into me.

[I can tell. You have talent as a show creator.]

[I’d love for you to join as crew in my new talk show too, Noru!]

This is wrong.

[New personnel, new set, new music, new season… I’ll invite you once filming preparations are complete!]

However.

[Though it’s so regrettable that today’s broadcast ended like this… your passionate participation was very impressive.]

[See you on the next broadcast!]

It worked.

I blinked my eyes.

Beyond my blurring vision, the silhouette of the TV-headed figure in a business suit waving disappeared…

And the next moment.

“…”

I realized I was sitting on the bright and quiet office sofa.

I turned my head.

Team Leader and Deputy Manager looked at me with dazed expressions, blood flowing from their noses and ears.

And I realized.

I’m alive.

“Waaaaah!!”

“You wonderful bastard, you crazy fool!”

I slid down onto the sofa amidst the pouring cheers and embraces.

I’m alive.

I survived and escaped…!

“…! Your collector!”

And that wasn’t the end.

Deputy Manager, who had been hugging me, quickly pulled something from my business suit’s front pocket.

It was the Dream Essence Collector.

Inside was filled with golden liquid.

The color was different from when I cleared the F-grade last time, this is…

“A-grade.”

“…”

“Noru, you cleared an A-grade darkness just two days after joining…!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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